Alhaja Ganiyat and Mohammed, wife and son respectively, of the late human rights lawyer and activist, Gani Fawehinmi, have narrated how the government of the former military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) tormented their bread winner.
According to Alhaja Ganiyat; “every time the security will come, turn our house upside down, even his office was broken into. They took away many files during IBB regime and they were not returned till date.”
This is even as Mohammed said that his father “went through hell and high waters to make sure that June 12 was actualized.”
The wife and son spoke to news men at the venue of the national honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), conferred on late Gani Fawehinmi among others, by President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, today, Tuesday.
Alhaja Ganiyat Fawehinmi said: “I was a bit disturbed. So I just thanked God that I am alive to witness today and I know that my husband will turn in the grave for this June 12 that is being actualized because he really fought and died for it.
“I believe God has a purpose for it. I believe that it is how God wants it because you can’t run a race ahead of God. So, God has a purpose of actualizing it today which is exactly 25 years after Abiola wanted to be the President.”
Mohammed, Fawehinmi’s eldest son, expressed confidence that his father would have accepted the award because June 12 has been actualized recognizing him as President-elect.
“I feel very elated. I feel very proud. My family feels very honored that all the suffering was not in vain and that the Nigerian people have a chance of better governance in future.”
“I know he would have taken it (the award). I know my father more than anybody. There are two reasons why he would taken it. One, because June 12 was actualized, two, because MKO Abiola was recognized as President elect.
“And you can see from the suggestion at the Senate that they are going to eventually declare the election result and he is going to be given all his benefits after 25 years which he has lost. So, for that reason that is victory for him.
